Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Brisbane Council
Wavell Heights, 4012
Est. population · Jun 2025
12,742
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.5%
Median age
37
Median income
$2,615/wk
Employment rate
70.8%
Languages at home
11.5%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Spanish, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Wavell Heights sits up in the Brisbane Council hills, a established suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix. Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from.
Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Desirability rates excellent overall, led by stronger community and employment, plus safety compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Wavell Heights snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$740/wk
Population (ERP)
12,742
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.3%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#42
among Metro Brisbane · Established
Safety
26th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
49th
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
82nd
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 70.1/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 5% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 222nd in Australia
- State rank
- 68th in QLD
- Peer rank
- #42 among Metro Brisbane · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #53 among Metro Brisbane suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $740
Median weekly rent from Queensland RTA rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- RTA bond statistics — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) · Mar 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
12,742(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +7.5% over 5 years · 49th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +7.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +141
- Change in 5 years
- +883
- Growth rank in QLD
- 49th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~13,400), extrapolated at +1.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 10,336
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $2,615
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 208 of 3,935
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,450
- Employment rate
- 70.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 3,387 / 110 / 234
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 395
- Against the person
- 55
- Against property
- 205
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 31
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 188 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate, partial year)
- -11%
Most common offence types
- Drug Offences180
- Good Order Offences62
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)219
- Traffic And Related Offences74
- Unlawful Entry92
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
- 1,091
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 82th
School list
- Our Lady of the Angels' SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1119 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 606 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Wavell Heights State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 985 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 41% · 398 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Wavell State High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1008 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 1,522 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Nundah State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1098 · 84th percentile · LBOTE 32% · 640 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1091 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 27% · 167 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Mary MacKillop CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1079 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 618 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Geebung Special SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1029 · 59th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 150 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Kedron State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1122 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 487 students · Top SEA quarter 49% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Virginia State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1092 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 469 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Goodstart Early Learning Wavell HeightsHamilton Roadkindergarten
- Wavell Heights KindergartenEdinburgh Castle Roadkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
74 public transport stops in this suburb
- Newman Rd at Abdale Street, stop 46
- Newman Rd at Mylne Street, stop 44
- Newman Rd at Newman South, stop 45
- Shaw Rd at Parklands, stop 36
- Shaw Rd at Parklands, stop 36
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
205 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 cafes · 1 bakeries · 3 places of worship · 11 playgrounds · 1 dog parks · 2 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 16 parks mapped in suburb, 11 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 74 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 19 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 36/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.19
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.29
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.55
Food & drink(3)
- Bakery
- Grid EspressoCafe
- The BaristorianCafe
165 Main Avenue
Shopping(3)
- Wavell Heights Gourmet MeatsButcher
Unit 9 216 Shaw Road, Wavell Heights
- Star MartConvenience store
- Nundah Fruit MarketGreengrocer
1558 Sandgate Road, Nundah
Community(6)
- Wavell Heights Community HallCommunity centre
175 Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights
- Goodstart Early Learning Wavell HeightsKindergarten
231 Hamilton Road, Wavell Heights
- Wavell Heights KindergartenKindergarten
175 Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights
- Our Lady of the AngelsSchool
- Wavell Heights State SchoolSchool
62 Minore Street, Wavell Heights
- Wavell State High SchoolSchool
70 Telopia Avenue, Wavell Heights
Health & services(2)
- Nundah Doctors SurgeryClinic
190 Bilsen Road, Wavell Heights
- Dr MargaretMedical clinic
Sport & outdoors(32)
- Dog park
- Pear Exercise Physiology / PhysiotherapyGym
Unit 6 52 Jeffcott Street
- Belloy Street ParkPark
24 Belloy Street, Wavell Heights
- Bristol ParkPark
- Edinburgh Castle Road ParkPark
105 Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights
- Frank Roberts ParkPark
- Maggs Street ParkPark
- Main Avenue ParkPark
- Murray Duus ParkPark
- Pfingst Road ParkPark
- Rilatt ParkPark
- Shaw Estate ParkPark
150 Shaw Road, Wavell Heights
- Shaw ParkPark
151 Shaw Road, Wavell Heights
- Studley ParkPark
29 Esdale Street, Wavell Heights
- Picnic area
- Playground (11)
- Field 2Sports field
- Field 3Sports field
- Hugh Courtney OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Transport(65)
65 bus stops
Other(23)
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Bbq (4)
- Bench (2)
- Bicycle Parking
- Common (8)
- Drinking water (5)
- Fitness Station
- Garden (4)
- Shaw Road Shopping VillageMall
216 Shaw Road, Wavell Heights
- Shaw Road NewsNewsagent
216 Shaw Road, Wavell Heights
- Parking (11)
- Parking Space (37)
- Hairy TailsPet Grooming
268 Rode Road, Wavell Heights
- CaltexPetrol station
1508 Sandgate Road, Nundah
- Centrepoint Church ChermsidePlace of worship
- Wavell Heights Presbyterian ChurchPlace of worship
- Wavell Heights United ChurchPlace of worship
149 Rode Road, Wavell Heights
- Post Box
- Wavell Heights North LPOPost office
150 Hamilton Road, Wavell Heights
- Public toilets
- Shelter (7)
- Traffic Park
- Waste Basket (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
16 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Belloy Street ParkPark
- Bristol ParkPark
- Edinburgh Castle Road ParkPark
- Emma Street ParkPark
- Frank Roberts ParkPark
- Heinrich Gerns ParkPark
- Magenta Street ParkPark
- Maggs Street ParkPark
- Main Avenue ParkPark
- Murray Duus ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 18
- Parks (OSM)
- 16
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
3 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Centrepoint Church Chermside
- Wavell Heights Presbyterian Church
- Wavell Heights United Church
149 Rode Road, Wavell Heights
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Nundah Community Health Centre (1.8 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Dr MargaretDoctor
- Nundah Doctors SurgeryBilsen RoadClinic
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 263
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 20.6
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 498 mm · ~62 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 406 mm · ~51 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 196 mm · ~24 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 256 mm · ~32 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Wavell Heights Presbyterian ChurchState heritage place
- Wavell State High SchoolState heritage place
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Lilley
- Member of Parliament
- Anika WELLS (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 118,593
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.1%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 35.5%Labor 64.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 1.9 km away).
Coalition 34.3%Labor 65.7%
1.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Chermside EastLabor 61.2% · Coalition 38.8% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Chermside SouthLabor 63.5% · Coalition 36.5% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- NundahLabor 72.6% · Coalition 27.4% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Nundah NorthLabor 68.2% · Coalition 31.8% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- ChermsideLabor 75.2% · Coalition 24.8% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Brisbane Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.